Herrin, who was deputy artistic director of the Royal Court between 2009 and 2012, has also worked at the National Theatre, Shakespeare's Globe and the Live Theatre, Newcastle, where he was associate director from 2000 to 2008.

His recent directing credits include This House (NT), No Quarter (Royal Court), Absent Friends (West End) and Much Ado About Nothing (Globe). In December he will direct the world premiere of Hilary Mantel's Man Booker prize-winning novels Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies in two parts for the RSC.

Herrin, who will take up the Headlong position in September, said today: "I am absolutely thrilled to be Headlong's next artistic director and excited to be following in the footsteps of John Retallack, Dominic Dromgoole and Rupert Goold. It's a bold company of vision and reach and I can't wait to work with the Headlong board and staff as well as all the writers, actors, creatives and other theatre partners to lead it through its next phase."

Rupert Goold, who has led the company for eight years, said: "Headlong is passing into the most capable hands with Jeremy's exciting appointment. He's a director of proven flair and originality as well as having shown a sustained commitment to regional theatre over his career. I can't wait to see where he'll take this wonderful company in the future."

Headlong's executive producer Henny Finch added: "I am delighted to be working in partnership with the talented Jeremy Herrin, as we continue to look to the future of Headlong and secure our place in the theatrical landscape."

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